In a Coding Dojo, coders come together and complete a programming challenge in a fun environment that provides a night to refine ones’ skillz. Coders have no knowledge of the problem until they form teams on the evening of Coding Dojo. The Des Moines Dojo adds the challenge of coding from scratch in front of an audience.The solution of the night’s problem for may require use of various languages, tools, and exercise formats.

Coding Dojo is a non-competitive, collaborative event at which all skill levels are welcome. It’s a fantastic place to test new methods and ideas. Participants should bring their lappies!

The problems are always new and provide a challenge for all levels of coder.
An exercise is successful when coders complete the challenge within the time limit AND can repeat the solution at home, alone.

The evening runs as follows:

• 10 minutes: Introduction & Team Formation
• 5 minutes: Problem Explanation
• 40 minutes code, code, code
• 5 minutes: BREAK
• 40 minutes: code some more
• 20 minutes: solution presentations
• Beers at local pub. (optional)

Learn more at http://codingdojo.org or contact Matthew Nuzum: newz@bearfruit.org

Impromptu Studio is proud to support a number of Central Iowa technology user groups. Our current groups include:

• Web Geeks: 1st Monday
• Des Moines Mac Users Group (DMMUG): 4th Tuesday
• Cocoa Heads: 2nd Thursday

If your user group wants to meet at Central Iowa’s home for technology entrepreneurs, send us an e-mail (hello@impromptustudio.com) with the following information:

• Your contact information
• Group name and website, if you have one
• General description of your subject area and what your meetings cover
• Number of members and average attendance
• Any special needs your group may have
• Current (or desired) meeting dates

Get us the info and we’ll take a look and get back to you as soon as possible.

Lunch and Learns

We’re currently in the process of scheduling spring lunch and learn sessions. Have an idea for a topic? Interested in sponsoring lunch? E-mail Dan at dshipton@impromptustudio.com with your ideas.

Special Events

Since our launch in 2008, Impromptu has played host to a number of special events, from Startup Weekend to Barcamp to Whuffaoke to the Movement Bash and even the Epic Ugly Sweater Party. Keep an eye on our site and streams for information on the next big thing at Impromptu Studio!

Des Moines Web Geeks Hack Day

DSM Web Geeks has re-convened after the Holidays and is bringing “Hack Day” to Impromptu Studio. Hack Day will be held Saturday March 28th starting at nine o’clock. Two topics will be voted on and chosen for the development of “solutions” for the day. One will be Wordpress and the other Drupal. Teams will form to tackle the tasks and at the end of the day everyone will get back together and show off what they’ve accomplished.

If you’ve never been to a DSM Web Geeks meeting you should definitely stop by and check them out. Their next meeting is April 6th at 7pm and Josh More will be speaking.